There’s no reason to spend a dime on roaming fees — traveling is expensive enough. Yet, I constantly hear about people forking over their hard-earned money to talk with friends or family while traveling abroad. It’s now easier and cheaper than ever to chat with family or friends at home or new friends from your trips around the world.

First Things First

There are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t spend a fortune while abroad. You can turn off your cellular data network, disable data roaming (iPhone, Android, Windows) or invest in an international data package (which is expensive, but might save you from a surprise bill).

Some companies, such as T-Mobile in the U.S., offer free unlimited messaging and limited data while abroad. While data speed is low, the ability to connect with international servers can be an excellent resource. I personally use this option while traveling and living abroad, and can speak highly of this option.

WhatsApp

You might already know about WhatsApp. It’s a popular application used by around 800 million people, with most users coming from India. You can use the app to send your location, text, send video and audio messages, images and contact information.

A really exciting update was made for users of Windows 8.1. which allows speakers to converse to each other in different languages. The update promises near real-time translations in English, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin, with many more languages coming soon.

Public Chats is also an added feature, which allows users to “peek inside the chats of celebrities, personalities and other public conversations on Viber.” Additionally, Viber stickers are popular within the app, as users can easily send stickers to their friends and family members.

Special features include hundreds of games available for download through the messaging app. Plus Friend, a feature that allows users to follow their favorite brands and celebrities, is also popular, as many brands offer coupons for following. Users can also give gifts to their friends or purchase goods through the Gifting feature. In addition, KakaoTalk includes KakaoStory, a social network complete with status updates and pictures.

WeChat

Another free messaging app is WeChat, which was developed in China and boasts over 500 million active monthly users. WeChat includes text, voice and broadcast messaging, with location and picture sharing. Users can also connect to others on Bluetooth and edit pictures through the phone’s many filters. Three main features include Moments, Shake and People Nearby. WeChat offers itself as more of a social networking app rather than just a messaging app.

WeChat officially launched an exciting update that allows users to verbally log into their account. The voice-enabled login works when the user recites a string of numbers, which is then checked for identity verification before access is given to the app. The new update was made to enhance the user’s security and data privacy.

What Do You Use to Chat Internationally?

Do you use a different voice-calling app? How does it compare to the ones listed above?

It was hard to keep them off the list, but I thought adding Kakao was more interesting than Line. Do you use Line? What do you like about it? I haven't tried it. Maybe I'll have to do a follow up article on the apps I didn't include.

I use an app called Upp Talk upptalk.com which is brilliant. Unlike other apps, It allows you to call and text for free people who do not have UppTalk. In some countries you even get a mobile number for free which people can also use to call you, though they have just discontinued this in the UK. There used to be a lot of free calls to certain countries, but now there is a small charge for each country. You can earn credits by recommending upptalk to friends, by watching ads and various other things.

I echo Christopher's comment above. I have been a very happy Republic Wireless customer for almost three years. I have called the US and Canada for free on all my trips. The ability to call the United States and Canada from any place in the world is priceless. FYI - You have to buy your phone from Republic-no other phones work with their service, and you must have a WiFi connection to make the calls. You cannot call any other place in the world except the US and Canada.

Also, an option. I could've included that in the "First Things First" section, but decided to use T-mobile instead b/c I personally use them. Thanks for the suggestion, maybe Republic Wireless will be mentioned in another article soon.